Preparation of a novel Ce and Sb co-doped SnO2 nanoflowers electrode by a two-step (hydrothermal and thermal decomposition) method for organic pollutants electrochemical degradation.

• A novel Ce and Sb co-doped SnO 2 nanoflowers electrode was prepared by a two-step (hydrothermal and thermal decomposition) method. • The Ti/Ce-Sb-SnO 2 NFs electrode achieved nearly 100% methylene blue removal efficiency within 90 min. • The electrochemical stability of the anode was prolonged from 8.2 h to 15.5 h after the introduction of Ce. Nanostructured Sb-SnO 2 electrodes with high electrochemical activity and stability are urgently desired for electrochemical oxidation of refractory organics in wastewater treatment, yet hard to be controlled and synthesized. Hence, we combined the hydrothermal method and thermal decomposition technologies to prepare a novel Ce and Sb co-doped SnO 2 nanoflowers electrode (Ti/Ce-Sb-SnO 2 NFs). The incorporation of Ce endowed the Ti/Ce-Sb-SnO 2 NFs anode with an increased oxygen evolution over-potential (OEP) (1.99 V vs. SCE), lower charge transfer resistance (7.54 Ω⋅cm2), large specific electrochemical active surface area (141.83), a great number of active sites and superior •OH generation ability. Consequently, nearly 100% decolorization efficiency and 91.45% chemical oxygen demand (COD) mineralization efficiency of methylene blue (MB) (20 mg/L) were achieved by the Ti/Ce-Sb-SnO 2 NFs anode within 90 min. Additionally, the Ti/Ce-Sb-SnO 2 NFs anode stability was also improved with a longer accelerated lifetime (15.5 h) than the given Ti/Sb-SnO 2 NFs electrode (8.2 h). We also prepared other nanostructured (nanoparticles, nanoclusters and nanosheets) Sb-SnO 2 electrodes with high oxidation capacity utilizing this two-step method, which demonstrated its great versatility. Accordingly, this work could provide a new strategy for fabricating efficient and stable rare earth elements (Ce, Nd, La, etc.) and Sb co-doped SnO 2 nanostructured electrodes for decomposition organic pollutants in the field of wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]